LEWISTON – A Program for Grieving Children and Teens will hold two 10-week sessions beginning, Tuesday, Sept. 13, in Auburn and Wednesday, Sept. 14, in Mexico. The programs provide support for children and teenagers, ages 3 to 18, who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, relative or friend.

Founded in 1998, a Program for Grieving Children and Teens is sponsored by St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice and serves families from Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford and northern Cumberland counties at no charge.

The weekly meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings at the St. Philip’s Church on Route 4 in Auburn and Wednesday evenings at Meroby Elementary School on Cross Street in Mexico.

Children will meet weekly in groups for age-appropriate activities, games, art and other forms of self-expression. Adults will meet at the same time to support one another and discuss ways to best meet their families’ needs. Groups are led by volunteers who have completed a 27-hour training.

To enroll, a parent or adult support person should accompany a child or teen. Grandparents are also encouraged to participate. Preregistration is required by Tuesday, Sept. 7, so families can meet with program volunteers before the session begins.

In addition to three 10-week sessions during the year, the program offers educational resources to the community and one-day workshops.

For more information about the program or to preregister, contact Jake Lariviere, program coordinator at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, at 777-7740 or 1-800-482-7412, ext. 1302.